Singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty over alleged bottle attack at Mayfair nightclub
The singer had paid £5m as part of his bail agreement
R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub.
The American musician, 36, is accused of pursuing Abraham Diaw around the Mayfair venue in February 2023, who alleges he was punched and kicked.
Brown was able to continue with his scheduled international tour after he was freed on conditional bail last month.
Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Friday morning for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
He confirmed his name and date of birth before entering his plea, saying: “Not guilty ma’am” during the plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, defending Brown, told the court it has been difficult to discuss matters with her client while he is working.
Around 20 people sat in the public gallery behind the dock for Friday’s hearing, many of them fans of the singer.
A date for a five to seven-day trial was set for October 26 2026.
Brown had arrived at around 9am to a large group of photographers outside court, and walked in silence to the building’s entrance.
The Go Crazy singer had to pay a £5 million security fee to the court as part of the bail agreement, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions.
Brown and his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, Akinlolu were charged over the alleged assault at the Tape venue in Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19 2023.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard last month that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and was then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly.
Brown was arrested at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel at 2am on May 15 by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet in preparation for the UK tour dates.
Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, on May 21.
Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour.
It said: “FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.”